Textile article equipped with a reach-through region

ABSTRACT

A textile article equipped with a reach-through region for the whole of a human hand, wherein the reach-through region has a separate textile surface which, with its edge, is connected to the edge of a recess in a surrounding textile surface, wherein the separate textile surface and the region of the surrounding textile surface that surrounds it can together be arranged flat in a respectively elastically relaxed and respectively fold-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface is further and more flexibly elastically extensible than the material of the surrounding textile surface. The edge of the separate textile surface and the edge of the recess have the same shape and size. Situated in the separate textile surface is an opening, which is wholly surrounded by the separate textile surface.

The invention relates to a textile article equipped with a reach-through region. The textile article is typically an item of clothing; however, it may inter alia also be a pocket or a backpack, for example.

US 2016007665 A1 and US 2016295933 A1 each disclose a pair of pants having a pocket which is areal in an unfilled state and the interior space of which is delimited by an inner textile surface and an outer textile surface, wherein the inner textile surface extends beyond the area of the pocket, the outer textile surface is sewn onto the inner textile surface and the material of the outer textile surface can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly than the material of the inner textile surface. The reach-through opening to the interior space of the pocket is located on a section of the edge of the inner textile surface. When the pants are worn as intended by a person and the pocket is not filled, the inner textile surface lies areally against the body of the person, the outer textile surface lies areally against the inner textile surface and the reach-through opening is narrowed to a line. If the pants are not kept in shape by the body of a person wearing them, the reach-through opening may be opened to a considerable extent even without external actions of force, such that there is a risk of objects unintentionally falling out of the pocket.

US 2020029637 A1 also discloses items of clothing having pockets, the inner region of which is delimited by an inner textile surface and an outer textile surface, wherein the inner textile surface extends beyond the area of the pocket, and the outer textile surface is sewn onto the inner textile surface. The opening extending between the inner textile surface and an edge region of the outer textile surface is bordered by a third textile surface with good elastic stretchability, which has approximately the shape of a funnel in the expanded state. That edge region of the elastic textile surface which, where applicable, delimits the larger funnel opening is sewn to the outer textile surface and the inner textile surface. That edge region of the elastic textile surface which, where applicable, delimits the smaller funnel opening is sewn to no other textile and forms the reach-through opening to the interior space of the pocket. This reach-through opening is intended to be reversibly elastically extensible to allow objects to pass through. Said third textile surface is compressed between the inner and the outer textile surface when the item of clothing is used as intended. Said third textile surface can also be sewn to the inner or outer textile surface in the region of the inner funnel opening so that it does not hang away from the item of clothing in an unattractive manner after a hand reaching through the reach-through opening has been withdrawn. This results in a loss of volume for the pocket.

US 2015007379 A1 discloses a pocket composed of an elastic areal textile material which is shaped into an annularly closed tube which, when worn as intended, encircles the transition region between hip and waist of a person and lies flatly and tightly against the body. The annular pocket may be an upper, belt-like part of a pair of pants - which are typically used for sporting activities - or a separate item of clothing. The pocket opening is a relatively narrow hole, provided with an elastic border, in the lateral surface of the tube-like structure; as a result of the elasticity of the textile material, this hole is reversibly elastically extensible to allow objects to pass through.

JP 2001207318 A describes an areal reach-through region, formed from a rubber-like plastic, for attachment to an opening of a textile surface of an item of clothing. In this case, the areal reach-through region is not a textile, that is to say is not constructed from threads, but rather is a film-like, inherently monolithic part, and it is stiffer than the surrounding textile. It has a slot, the edges of which can be elastically bent open for the reach-through operation and reliably deform back into the closing starting position again after the reach-through operation. There are problems with the haptic properties and visual properties of the reach-through region, and its large area in relation to the possible width of its passage opening.

US 2008010718 A1 discloses, in relation to a glove, openings through which a respective individual finger tip can be selectively pushed so as to be able to feel with the finger tip. The openings are bordered by a textile material which can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly per unit area than the customary surface material of the glove, said customary surface material bordering the elastic textile material.

The inventor has realized that there are a number of frequent situations in which people are barely able or unable to access pockets in their clothing, and/or that after accessing a pocket in the clothing, both hands are required to close the pocket again -whereby the closing may be impossible for example when simultaneously driving a vehicle. Furthermore, small children are barely able to properly operate many known closure types on items of clothing.

Correspondingly, the object on which the invention is based is to propose a reach-through opening, which can be used for example as a pocket opening, in a textile surface, which is for example part of an item of clothing, said reach-through opening being able to be easily reached through with an entire hand and, after the reach-through operation, automatically moving back into the state prior to the reach-through operation, and being dimensioned such that it can be used irrespective of the type of textile material to be reached through and the area of the textile surface in which the reach-through opening is located.

To achieve the object, it is proposed to form the reach-through region for an entire hand of a person by means of a separate textile surface, wherein the edge of the separate textile surface is connected to the edge of a surrounding textile surface in such a way that the separate textile surface and that region of the surrounding textile surface which surrounds it can be arranged planarly together in a respectively elastically relaxed and respectively wrinkle-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly per unit area than the material of the surrounding textile surface, and wherein an opening is located in the separate textile surface. In this case, the separate textile surface is inserted into a cutout in the surrounding textile surface, wherein the edge of the separate textile surface and the edge of the cutout in the surrounding textile surface are connected to one another, and wherein the cutout in the surrounding textile surface has the same shape and size as the separate textile surface when the two textile surfaces are in the planar and elastically relaxed state, wherein the opening is completely encircled by the separate textile surface, and is at a distance from all outer edges of the separate textile surface.

The invention, including advantageous further developments, will be illustrated and explained with reference to drawings, in which the textile article according to the invention is an item of clothing:

FIG. 1 shows in stylized form a detail of a first exemplary item of clothing equipped in accordance with the invention, in a position worn as intended, with a viewing direction from the front.

FIG. 2 shows in stylized form a second exemplary item of clothing equipped in accordance with the invention, in a position worn as intended, with a viewing direction from the front.

FIG. 3 shows in stylized form a third exemplary item of clothing equipped in accordance with the invention, in a position worn as intended, with a viewing direction from the rear.

FIG. 4 shows in stylized form a detail of a fourth item of clothing equipped in accordance with the invention.

In the four drawings, parts which have the same function are denoted by the same position number.

The item of clothing 1 of FIG. 1 has a reach-through region 2 which is inserted into an opening in the surrounding textile surface 3 of the item of clothing 1. In this regard, the reach-through region 2 has a separate textile surface 4 which, in the area thereof, replaces the surrounding textile surface 3. The separate textile surface 4 is pierced by an opening 5 which, as illustrated, is at a distance from all outer edges of the separate textile surface 4, and which, as illustrated, is preferably bordered by a hem 6.

The material of the separate textile surface 4 can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly than the material of the surrounding textile surface 3. Material which can be elastically stretched to a great extent and in a flexible manner is also used for the hem 6 of the opening 5 in the separate textile surface 4. In this way, cross-sectional area and peripheral length of the opening 5 can be of relatively narrow dimension in the elastically relaxed state, and yet the opening 5 can be reached through with a hand, or relatively large objects can be moved through said opening, because the opening 5 is elastically - and thus reversibly - extensible as required.

The outer edge of the separate textile surface 4 is connected over its entire length to an edge of the surrounding textile surface 3, typically by sewing. Instead of sewing, adhesive bonding, welding, riveting, etc. would also be possible. Both of the stated surfaces are dimensioned such that they are the same size in the case of elastically relaxed textile surfaces 3, 4. This makes it possible for the reach-through region 2 and the textile surface 3 surrounding it to be free of wrinkles, if nothing has been inserted through the opening 5.

The material of the separate textile surface 4 can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly, in relation to the same basic area, than the material of the surrounding textile surface 3. The areal elasticity of the textile material may be afforded to the latter both on account of its construction from stretchable threads which are inherently soft-elastic in a rubber-like manner, and on account of the manner of interweaving or stitching of the threadlike basic material to form an areal structure. Specialist knowledge for the production of areally elastic woven fabrics is well-known among textile experts, for which reason the more exact formation is not discussed in detail here.

The opening 5 in the separate textile surface 4 is a hole which is surrounded on all sides by material of the separate textile surface 4, such that said hole is at a distance, preferably of at least 2 cm, from the closest region of the edge 5 of the separate textile surface 4. What can be achieved by this distance is that the opening 5 is extensible to a very great extent, in relation to its entire periphery, as required for moving a hand or a relatively large object therethrough, and then also reliably narrows to a significant extent again without any further action being required therefor owing to the elastic restoring force.

Optionally, it is possible for the opening 5 to be completely surrounded by the separate textile surface 4, but for certain portions thereof to be located very close to, for example at a distance of only a few mm from, an edge of the separate textile surface 4. In relation to the length of the periphery of the opening 5 in the elastically relaxed state of the textile surfaces 3, 4, the opening 5 cannot be stretched out as far as when it is far away from the edges of the separate textile surface, but visual advantages may be afforded.

Preferably, the opening 5 is embodied in the form of a rectilinear slot which, in the case of elastically relaxed surrounding textile material, is approximately as long as the flat palm, without thumbs, of a person using the item of clothing 1 as intended is wide, and in this regard it is further preferred for the opening 5 to be at least elastically extensible enough that the entire flat hand of said person can be inserted in a longitudinal direction. Such a high stretchability of the periphery of the opening 5 can be readily achieved through the selection of the minimum elasticity of the material of the separate textile surface 4 and possibly of the material of the hem 6, and can best be ascertained through experimentation. Good handleability and good security against objects unintentionally falling out of the pocket 2 are thus optimally combined.

Optionally, an additional actuatable closure mechanism may also be attached to the opening 5, which can be used to selectively decrease or increase the width of the opening 5. As sketched in FIG. 2 , this actuatable closure mechanism may, for example, be a snap fastener 7 - that is to say a two-part mechanism in which the two parts can be fixed to one another, or detached from one another, by overcoming a latching-in force. Although this mechanism reduces the size of the opening, the elasticity and function thereof remain unchanged.

In the optional case illustrated in FIG. 2 , the reach-through region 2 leads into a pocket 8 (outline illustrated by dashed lines) of the item of clothing 1, said pocket lying within the surrounding textile surface 3 and also being accessible through an opening 9 in addition to the reach-through region 2, said opening being able to be embodied in the manner of known pockets in items of clothing. In this case, the opening 9 may be embodied to be substantially wider than the opening 5 in the reach-through region according to the invention. The wider opening 9 may be used specifically for the passage of particularly large objects, and the narrower opening 5 for quick access.

However, a reach-through region 2 according to the invention may also be the only opening to a pocket in the item of clothing 1.

If, as sketched, the reach-through region 2 leads into a pocket 8 of an item of clothing, the area of the pocket 8 is preferably greater than the area of the reach-through region 2. This more precisely means that the projected area of the pocket 8 at right angles to the plane of the surrounding textile surface 3 when placed down flat is preferably greater than the area of the reach-through region 2 when placed down flat. Preferably, the area of the pocket 8 (or said projected area) is more than twice the size of the area of the reach-through region.

According to a further variant of the invention, a reach-through region 2 according to the invention may be a connecting region between two pockets of an item of clothing, wherein each of the two pockets has a respective further access opening, wherein the one of these access openings leads to the outer side of the item of clothing and the second of these access openings leads to the inner side of the item of clothing. What is achieved thereby is that an inner pocket of an item of clothing can be accessed without having to open the item of clothing therefor - namely through an outer pocket, and that there is still a separation between the inner pocket and the outer pocket, such that objects cannot unintentionally pass from the one pocket into the other.

The reach-through region 2 on an item of clothing does not necessarily have to lead into a pocket of the item of clothing; it may also simply lead from the outer side of the item of clothing into the space enveloped by the latter, for example to provide uncomplicated access to a further item of clothing underneath.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reach-through region 2 is located on an item of clothing for the upper body and is specifically positioned in such a way that, when the item of clothing for the upper body is worn as intended, the opening 5 of the reach-through region 2 is located, with respect to the body of the person wearing the item of clothing for the upper body, on the front side in a height range which extends from 5 cm below the navel to 10 cm above the navel, and is no further than 10 cm away from the body plane of symmetry. In this context, an item of clothing for the upper body is an item of clothing for a person which covers the torso of the person from the neck down and has leadthroughs for the arms of the person, that is to say typically a jacket, a shirt, a vest (waistcoat) or a sweater. As a result of said arrangement, the reach-through region can also be readily used if the person wearing the item of clothing 1 is wearing a harness or a backpack with a hip belt or is sitting with a fastened seatbelt in a car seat.

According to a further preferred embodiment (not illustrated), the shape of the area of the opening in or on the separate textile surface (4) relaxed state is elongate, and the direction of the greatest dimension of this area slopes in the direction away from the body plane of symmetry of the person wearing the item of clothing.

In the example according to FIG. 3 , two pockets 8 on the lower rear region of an item of clothing 1 embodied in the form of an item of clothing for the upper body are equipped with reach-through regions 2 according to the invention. This item of clothing 1 is well suited, for example, for riding a bicycle. The openings 5 of the reach-through regions 2 are elongate in the elastically relaxed state, wherein the longitudinal direction slopes away from the body plane of symmetry of the person wearing the item of clothing 1 - whereby the person wearing the item of clothing 1 can comfortably reach into the pockets 8 without contorting themselves. A respective cover strip 10 is attached to the item of clothing 1 outside the openings 5 of the reach-through regions 2. This is a strip composed of a textile material, which is connected to an edge region in an area of the item of clothing 1 lying above the respective opening 5, and which, in the absence of actions other than gravitational force, hangs downward from its fastening region and, as a result, conceals the respective opening 5. The cover strips 10 practically do not interfere with the access to the reach-through region 2, but very efficiently have the effect that moisture, which runs down the item of clothing 1 in the event of rain, does not flow into the pockets 8.

In the example according to FIG. 4 , a reach-through region 2 according to the invention to a pocket 8 is shown. In this case, the reach-through region 2 is arranged behind an outer pocket opening 11, which is in the form of a zip fastener in the example shown. In order to access the pocket 8, it is necessary to reach through the outer pocket opening 11 and the opening 5, in the form of an inner pocket opening, of the reach-through region 2 according to the invention. The periphery of the outer pocket opening 11 is embodied to be considerably longer than the periphery of the opening 5 in the reach-through region 2 when it is elastically relaxed. This manner of implementation is useful for example in those situations in which a person has only one hand free to take something out of a pocket in the item of clothing, but after taking it out does not have the possibility of closing the pocket because they would need two hands for this. In that case, the self-closing function of the reach-through region 2 according to the invention brings about a closure for the pocket 8 that is at least temporarily good enough. 

1. A textile article equipped with a reach-through region for an entire hand of a person, wherein the reach-through regionhas a separate textile surface which is fastened to a surrounding textile surfacein such a way that the separate textile surface and that region of the surrounding textile surface which surrounds it can be arranged planarly together in a respectively elastically relaxed and respectively wrinkle-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly per unit area than the material of the surrounding textile surface, and wherein an opening is located in the separate textile surface, wherein the opening is completely encircled by the separate textile surface, and is at a distance from all outer edges of the separate textile surface, and in that the separate textile surface is inserted into a cutout in the surrounding textile surface, wherein the edge of the separate textile surface and the edge of the cutout are connected to one another, and the edge of the cutout has the same shape and size as the edge of the separate textile surface when the two textile surfaces are in the planar and elastically relaxed state.
 2. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is bordered by a hem which, in the region in which it adjoins the separate textile surface, can be elastically stretched at least as far and as flexibly per unit area as the material of the separate textile surface.
 3. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening in the separate textile surface has the shape of a rectilinear slot in the elastically relaxed state of the surrounding material.
 4. The textile article as claimed in claim 3, wherein an actuatable closure mechanism, preferably in the form of a snap fastener, is attached to the opening and can be used to selectively adjust the width of the opening.
 5. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has an inner side and an outer side, and in that the opening is covered on the outer side of the textile article by a foldable cover strip.
 6. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reach-through region leads into a pocket on the textile article.
 7. The textile article as claimed in claim 6, wherein the normally projected area of the pocket at right angles to the surrounding textile surface is greater, preferably more than two times greater, than the area of the reach-through region.
 8. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separate textile surface,which has the opening, is covered on its outer side by a further textile surface which has a further opening, wherein the further opening can be selectively closed, for example, by a zip fastener.
 9. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, wherein it is an item of clothing.
 10. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reach-through region is a connection between an inner pocket and an outer pocket of the item of clothing.
 11. The textile article as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reach-through region does not lead into a pocket, but rather leads from the outer side of the item of clothing into the space enveloped by the latter.
 12. The textile article as claimed in claim 9, wherein the item of clothing is an item of clothing for the upper body, and the reach-through region is positioned in such a way that, when the item of clothing for the upper body is worn as intended by a person, the opening of the reach-through region is located, with respect to the body of the person, in a height range which extends from 5 cm below the navel to 10 cm above the navel, and is no further than 10 cm away from the body plane of symmetry. 